As has been the case with other events in aviation history, the origin of the Cessnas 2 Oshkosh mass arrival can be traced back to a group of pilots searching for a way to fly and spend time together. In the summer of 2005 a small group of Cessna owners led by Fred Johnson and Rodney Swanson met in the North 40 during the celebration of EAA AirVenture - Oshkosh to figure out a way to fly in, camp and hang out together as a group under the wings of their airplanes in the North 40. The ultimate goal was to share their mutual passion for aviation and have a good time together during the week of EAA AirVenture - Oshkosh.

These friends, all experienced pilots, concluded that the only sure way to accomplish these goals was to organize a mass arrival as it had been done by other groups like the Bonanzas to Oshkosh, the pioneers of the mass arrival movement, and the Mooney Caravan. This movement continues to grow, since Cessnas 2 Oshkosh celebrated its first mass arrival in 2006, other groups like the Comanches to Oshkosh and the Cherokees to Oshkosh, have followed.

The word went out initially through the Cessna Pilots Association website and later through a website created for this purpose by Fred Johnson and maintained by webmaster Dennis Angello. Rodney Swanson, an experienced military pilot and current Director of Training and Operations for Cessnas 2 Oshkosh, developed the training program. This carefully designed program was distributed in a standardized package to many experienced pilots and instructors who organized clinics around the nation. Enthusiastic pilots without previous experience in formation flight took part in these clinics and prepared to fly the arrival using this training program.

Safety, first in the minds of the founders, is still today our main concern. We've established two strict conditions to fly the arrival. Pilots must complete training in at least one formation clinic during the year of the arrival, and must participate in the final brief on the day of the arrival starting at 12:00 Noon CDT in Juneau, Wisconsin. Cessnas 2 Oshkosh conducts formation flight training clinics in many locations around the United States.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2006

2006 was the year of the 50th anniversary of the Cessna Skyhawk (C172) and Skylane (C182) models entry into production. Cessnas 2 Oshkosh celebrated by flying 50 aircraft in formation into Oshkosh. It was a historical event, the landing sequence from the formation lead touchdown to formation tail runway exit on its way to the North 40 took 11 minutes. It was an exceptionally well planned and executed operation. The events that followed at Cessna Base Camp in the North 40 are unforgettable. More than 500 Cessna owners and pilots joined in this celebration.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2007

2007 was a year of reality testing, reflection and course correction in the history of Cessnas 2 Oshkosh. We faced very serious difficulties and overcame the toughest internal as well as external challenges. In spite of the circumstances, we manage to conduct two mass arrivals, one into Sun n Fun®, and the other into EAA AirVenture - Oshkosh®.

In mid April, we gathered at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (KZPH) from Friday 13 to Sunday 15, camped on its grounds and launched a mass arrival flight into Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (KLAL). The experience solidified the friendship between the members of the group and consolidated their commitment to each other and to Cessnas 2 Oshkosh.

On July 21, the Saturday before the start of EAA AirVenture 2007, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh conducted its second mass arrival into the Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh. It was a token appearance that strengthen the group's resolve to push on with the idea of an annual mass arrival of Cessna aircraft into Oshkosh.

A crucial moment in the history of Cessnas 2 Oshkosh interrupted the latency period that began in the summer. In December of 2007, John Frank, President of the Cessna Pilots Association®, approached Rodney Swanson, the driving force behind Cessnas 2 Oshkosh, to offer his mediation to obtain official recognition of the group by the EAA® and to draw an official Letter of Agreement (LOA) between the major players: EAA®, FAA and Cessnas 2 Oshkosh, represented by the Cessna Pilots Association®. It was the dawn of a new era for Cessnas 2 Oshkosh.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2008

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2009

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2009 Mass Arrival Group. Photo by Patrick Gilbert.

On July 25^th 2009, the second year of our partnership with the Cessna Pilots Association, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh successfully conducted our fourth mass arrival into Oshkosh. Thirty-nine (39) aircraft participated in the 2009 mass arrival. A numerous group of companions, relatives and friends made the event a success.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2010

In 2010 we had all the pieces in place for a banner arrival, but Mother Nature had other plans. Torrential rains over Wisconsin for weeks on end prior to the date of the arrival saturated and flooded the ground at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. For safety reasons EAA cancelled all the arrivals. We didn't give up. Instead, we quickly reached out to the EAA and the FAA to coordinate a formation flyby over Wittman Regional Airport. The flyover was not only successful, it was very exciting to all of us flying it, to those on the ground at Oshkosh watching it and even to the many FAA ATC controllers at OSH tower. We really thrilled everyone.

But it was not enough, we still had a mission to accomplish. We had to make it to the North 40 in Oshkosh as a group. We again reached out to the EAA and obtained their full support and logistic assistance. At the risk of finding ourselves with a mutiny in our hands, we asked our participants to leave all the airplanes at Dodge County Airport with the good people of Wisconsin Aviation in Juneau and organized a convoy into Oshkosh. We did make it to the North 40 as a group and set our Cessna Base Camp. The week that followed was a testament to what drives us, the camaraderie among our pilots, relatives and friends. We had a blast!

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2011

On July 24^th 2011, the fourth year of our partnership with the Cessna Pilots Association, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh successfully conducted the sixth mass arrival into Oshkosh. Forty-four (44) aircraft participated in the 2011 mass arrival. A numerous group of companions, relatives and friends made the event a success.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2012

We did it again in 2012. On July 21st, the Saturday before the start of EAA AirVenture 2012, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh conducted its seventh annual mass arrival into the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This mass arrival was the fifth in partnership with the Cessna Pilots Association.

The 2012 Mass Arrival Flight consisted of forty-one (41) aircraft. Eight (8) models were represented. The Skyhawk (C172) led the way with twelve (12) aircraft, followed by the Cardinal (C177) and the Centurion with eight (8) aircraft each, the Skylane (C182) with seven (7), the Skywagon (C185) and the C310 with two (2) each and the Stationair (C206) and the Skymaster (C337) with one (1) each.

Twenty (20) states and three (3) Canadian provinces were represented. Texas led the way with five (5) pilots, followed by Connecticut, Florida and Ontario with three (3), Arkansas, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Washington with two (2), Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, Alberta and British Columbia with one (1) pilot each.

The forty-one (41) aircraft in the 2012 Mass Arrival Flight were arranged in fifteen (15) elements. The Skyhawks (C172) led the flight with twelve (12) aircraft arranged in four (4) elements, followed by eight (8) Cardinals (C177) arranged in three (3) elements, a mixed element of two (2) Skywagons (C185) and one (1) Skylane (C182), another mixed element of two (2) Skylanes and one (1) Stationair (C206), four (4) more Skylanes (C182) arranged in two (2) elements, eight (8) Centurions (C210) arranged in three (3) elements and a mixed element of one (1) Skymaster (C337) and two (2) Cessna 310 closed the flight.

Click here to download the 2012 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival Flight Composition.

Follow this link to listen the 2012 Mass Arrival ATC Audio Recording.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2013

We did it again in 2013. On July 27th, the Saturday before the start of EAA AirVenture 2013, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh conducted its eighth annual mass arrival into the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This mass arrival was the sixth in partnership with the Cessna Pilots Association.

Thanks to all the pilots, relatives and friends who made the 2013 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival a very special one. We flew our forty-two (42) planes into Oshkosh and had a fantastic time at Cessna BaseCamp! Congratulations to each and every one of our pilots, relatives and friends!

The 2013 Mass Arrival Flight consisted of forty-two (42) aircraft. Seven (7) models were represented. The Skylane (C182) led the way with fourteen (14) aircraft, followed by the Skyhawk (C172) with eleven (11) aircraft, the Cardinal (C177) and the Centurion with six (6) aircraft each, the Skywagon (C185) with three (3) aircraft, and the Stationair (C206) and the Skymaster (C337) with one (1) aircraft each.

Eighteen (18) states, one (1) Canadian province and the Island of Luzon in The Phillippines were represented. Texas led the way with ten (10) pilots, followed by California with four (4) pilots, Massachusetts and Washington with three (3) pilots each, Connecticut, Kansas, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin with two (2) pilots each, and Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Alberta and Luzon Island with one (1) pilot each.

The forty-two (42) aircraft in the 2013 Mass Arrival Flight were arranged in fifteen (15) elements. The Skyhawks (C172) led the flight with eleven (11) aircraft arranged in four (4) elements, followed by six (6) Cardinals arranged in two (2) elements, one element of three (3) Skywagons, a mixed element of two (2) Skylanes and one (1) Stationair, followed by twelve (12) Skylanes arranged in four (4) elements, six (6) Centurions (C210) arranged in two (2) elements and a single aircraft element of one Skymaster (C337). Cessna Lead was Robert Ahern in his Skyhawk N20355 and Cessna Tail was Robert Morris in his Skymaster Bumble Bee N337B.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2014

Congratulations to each and every one of our pilots, relatives and friends! We have accomplished the feat of flawlessly flying our fifty-four (54) planes into Oshkosh. Thanks to each and every one of you for contributing to make the 2014 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival a tremendous success.

On July 26, the Saturday before the start of EAA AirVenture 2014, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh conducted its ninth annual mass arrival into the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This was our seventh year in partnership with the Cessna Pilots Association.

The fifty-four (54) aircraft in the 2014 Mass Arrival Flight were arranged in nineteen (19) elements. Follow this link to view the composition of the mass arrival flight, element by element.

Follow this link to view the 2014 Mass Arrival Report.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2015

Congratulations to each and every one of our pilots, relatives and friends! We have accomplished the feat of flawlessly flying our seventy-two (72) planes into Oshkosh. Thanks to each and every one of you for contributing to make the 2015 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival a tremendous success.

On July 18, the Saturday before the start of EAA AirVenture 2015, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh conducted its tenth annual mass arrival into the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This was our eighth year in partnership with the Cessna Pilots Association.

The seventy-two (72) aircraft in the 2015 Mass Arrival Flight were arranged in eighteen (18) elements. Follow this link to view the composition of the mass arrival flight, element by element.

Follow this link to view the 2015 Mass Arrival Report.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2016

Congratulations to each and every one of our pilots! We have accomplished the feat of flying our eighty-five (85) planes into Oshkosh. The eighty-five (85) aircraft in the 2016 Mass Arrival Flight were arranged in thirty (30) elements. Thanks to all our pilots, relatives and friends for making the 2016 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival a record-breaking success.

On July 23rd, the Saturday before the start of EAA AirVenture 2016, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh conducted its 11th annual mass arrival into the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This was our 9th year in partnership with the Cessna Pilots Association.

Follow this link to view the 2016 Mass Arrival Report.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2017

Congratulations to each and every one of our pilots! We have accomplished the mission of flying our fifty-two (52) planes into Oshkosh. The fifty-two (52) aircraft in the 2017 Mass Arrival Flight were arranged in eighteen (18) elements. Thanks to all our pilots, relatives and friends for making the 2017 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival a success.

On July 22nd, the Saturday before the start of EAA AirVenture 2017, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh conducted its 12th annual mass arrival into the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This was our 10th year in partnership with the Cessna Pilots Association.

Follow this link to view the 2017 Mass Arrival Report.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2018

On July 21st, the Saturday before the start of EAA AirVenture 2023, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh conducted its 17th annual mass arrival into the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Congratulations to each and every one of our pilots! We accomplished our mission of flying our eighty-seven (87) planes into Oshkosh in spite of all the challenges. Not only did we accomplished our mission, but we actually set a record for the group: the highest number of aircraft participating in our mass arrival flight.

Here are some facts to highlight:

• The number of registered aircraft at the end of the registration period: 125, was the largest in our history. 115 aircraft registered in 2008 and 111 in 2010.
• The number of aircraft that actually flew the 2018 mass arrival: 87, was the largest in our thirteen years history.
• The total number of Cessnas 2 Oshkosh aircraft on the ramp at Dodge County Airport in Juneau at the start of our preflight brief: 90, was also the highest in our history, and a record for Wisconsin Aviation too.

Thanks to all our pilots, relatives and friends for making the 2023 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival a tremendous success.

Follow this link to view the 2018 Mass Arrival Report.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2019

On July 21st, the Sunday before the start of EAA AirVenture 2019, Cessnas 2 Oshkosh conducted its 14th annual mass arrival into the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Congratulations to each and every one of our pilots! We accomplished our mission of flying our eighty-six (86) aircraft into Oshkosh in spite of all the challenges. Not only did we accomplished our mission, but we were actually one aircraft short of tying our 2018 record number of aircraft for the group.

Thanks to all our pilots, relatives and friends for persisting over the obstacles and making the 2023 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival a tremendous success.

Follow this link to view the 2019 Mass Arrival Report.

Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2020

It was with a heavy heart that we had to cancel the 2020 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh mass arrival after receiving notice from EAA of the cancellation of AirVenture 2020

Thanks to all our pilots, relatives and friends.